Vergennes Downtown-Basin Master Plan

LandWorks, in collaboration with Toole Design Group and Doug Kennedy Advisors, was engaged to complete a master plan of the Vergennes Downtown and Basin areas. Vergennes received a Strong Communities, Better Connections grant in 2015 that had three major goals – improve transportation connections; develop the Basin’s draw as a recreation and tourism destination; and use an economic development/market analysis to pinpoint issues and opportunities. At the onset of the project, LandWorks and Toole Design Group led a set of community events that included a ‘Walk & Talk’, in which the community came out, walked with the consultant team and gave feedback and insight. A temporary kiosk was constructed in the Basin with local residents. This was followed by community meetings where residents were asked to vote for the ideas and concepts they prioritized as the most important.

A primary focus for LandWorks was to make recommendations to improve the Basin, making it a draw to visitors and residents. This included wayfinding as a tool to improve the connection from the Downtown to the Otter Creek riverfront. LandWorks developed conceptual plans, analysis, and wayfinding options that incorporated all the work and reports done to date for the city, the feedback from outreach events, and a comprehensive site analysis. Also prepared was a plan entitled “Vacancies and Downtown Development Options” to assess economic opportunities.

A link to the Vergennes Downtown-Basin Master Plan can be found below: